Bridgerton; Grantchester

“What I like about Bridgerton is that, while it is shameless about shoehorning in sex, it never takes it too seriously. In that it takes a lesson from the great Jilly Cooper by making it an upbeat breathy romp rather than an earnest, sleazy pornathon. At one point during their shy flirtation, Benedict flies a kite for Sophie and it reaches full mast. Yes, I think we’ve got the metaphor. Equally amusing is the “maid war” that has broken out in the Ton: rich households are poaching serving staff from other rich households. No wonder. When hardworking Varley (Lorraine Ashbourne) asks Lady Featherington (Polly Walker) for a small pay rise she sniffs that it’s vulgar to talk about money and palms her off with a couple of her ghastly cast-off frocks. Tell her where to stick her gaudy dresses, Varley. Bridgerton is daft and OTT, but it’s a splash of colour and a rollicking good romantic lifter for miserable January and February.”
Carol Midgley, The Times

“It’s all utterly bananas. But crucially, it is sincere about it – and its commitment is admirable. The costumes and sets are exquisite, the Cinderella stuff is startlingly free of cynicism and there is much tenderness in the romance department (fret not, bum fans: the banging continues apace). Though previously resistant to Bridgerton’s charms, I am now forced to concede that its puddingy mix of clunking soap and fairytale wish-fulfilment is … watchable. If not, indeed, quite difficult to resist. Curses.”
Sarah Dempster, The Guardian

“With Netflix’s astronomical budget (each episode reportedly costs over £5m to make), Bridgerton will never blend into the TV landscape – its sumptuous costumes, equally exquisite backdrops and intricate characters with modern sensibilities will always set it apart. So no, it may not be new or as inventive as it once was (it bears repeating that this series’ central love story is a Cinderella rip-off), but it remains a wonderful, luxurious watch. Sometimes no sex is the sexiest thing of all.”
Emily Baker, The i

“Bridgerton was a breath of fresh air when it first appeared, but is now Mills & Boon on a Netflix budget. Benedict (Luke Thompson) happens to be my favourite of the Bridgertons, so I am happy enough to follow his romance with Sophie (newcomer Yerin Ha) across the series. Fans of the show will know that he is the carefree one who wakes up most mornings with a steaming hangover and at least one naked woman in his bedroom. He also kisses a man for good measure in the first episode of this series.”
Anita Singh, Telegraph

“Grantchester has seen a succession of sleuthing vicars with streams of lovelorn lady admirers. Poor tortured Leonard, who was defrocked in disgrace, and the devoted Mrs Chapman, have been the reliable constants at the heart of the series, and it’s good to see them at the fore. They’ve become the best characters in Grantchester, and made this a cracking episode. G’night, all.”
Christopher Stevens, Daily Mail